Surname Waelzel - Meaning and Origin
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Waelzel: What does the surname Waelzel mean?
The last name Waelzel is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Wal” which means “ruler” or “lord”. The name was most likely used as a surname to denote someone of a higher social standing in the community.
The Waelzel surname is believed to have first originated in the region of Bohemia, a historical region located in Central Europe. It is presumed that the Waelzel family may have settled in the area from elsewhere in Europe over time and adopted the unique name.
The surname Waelzel is mostly found in the US and other German speaking countries such as Germany and Austria. It is also common in many parts of Europe such as Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia.
The meaning of the last name Waelzel could be interpreted as someone who was of great importance in their community. It could be derived from someone in a high ranking position such as a community leader or as a title given to a landowner. Alternatively, it could simply have been adopted as a surname to distinguish the Waelzel family from others.
No matter the origin, it is clear that the Waelzel surname was given to those who belonged to a higher social class or held some form of authority. The name is an interesting one, steeped in history and with a complex meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisWaelzel: Where does the name Waelzel come from?
The surname Waelzel is not particularly common today, but it can be found primarily in countries of German descent, such as Germany, Austria, and the United States. In Germany, Waelzel is most common in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria. Elsewhere, it can be found in the United States (in small numbers, concentrated in the East Coast) and in Austria.
The earliest known mention of a bearer of the surname Waelzel dates back to 1652 in Thuringia, Germany, in a record of a man with the full name "Andreas Waelzel". Since then, it has been associated primarily with Germany, though there are a few rare cases of people bearing the surname in other European countries, including Poland.
The surname Waelzel is derived from the Middle High German word "waëlzen", which means "to roll" or "to roll around." This is an allusion to the occupation of the original bearer of the surname, a miller or a carter of some kind. Thus, it can be assumed that the last name Waelzel originated as an occupational surname, and may mean "one who rolls."
Variations of the surname Waelzel
The surname Waelzel has a variety of spellings and variants, as well as other surnames with the same origin. Variations of the spelling include Waelzle, Waehlsel, Wehlsal, Waelzell, and Veilzell. Other related surnames with the same origin include Wawel, Waehls, Waelz, and Voltz.
The German-language surname Waelzel derives from the Middle High German term “wahhəlsəl,” which was a nickname for a person with curly or wavy hair. In turn, the root word of this term is “Wahl,” which translates to “curly” or “wavy.” This surname could also indicate an origin from the Middle High German term “Waehlsaal,” which meant “valley” and could have referred to a person who lived in a valley or deep gully. Along a similar vein, the surname could have derived from a place located along a heavily forested region.
The earliest documented record of this surname dates back to 1485 when a person by the name of Cunz Wahlsel was mentioned by Johannes Wolf in his book “Historia Constantiae,” which was released in Bamberg, Germany. It was also common for people to adopt Waelzel and its variants as a patronymic surname when their father’s name was Wahlsal.
Overall, the surname Waelzel has several variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin. All these surnames indicate a possible origin from either having curly or wavy hair or from living in a valley or heavily forested region.
Famous people with the name Waelzel
- Bart Waelzel: He is an American R&B singer-songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as Outkast, Justin Bieber, Usher, Miguel, and many more.
- Paul Waelzel: He is an opera singer with the Wagner-Oberhausen Opera House in Germany. He is well known for his powerful performances and has sang numerous Wagner songs throughout his career.
- Alexander Waelzel: He was a Russian choreographer who produced choreographic works for ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Don Quixote. He was the one of the first to develop the 'reset turn' technique.
- Andreas Waelzel: He is a violinist and conductor from Austria. He has worked in a number of orchestras across the world, including his hometown Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia in the UK.
- Karin Waelzel: She is a German sculptor who has crafted many works of art with an emphasis on natural themes and materials. Her pieces are included in collections in museums and galleries throughout Europe.
- Robert Waelzel: He is an American cinematographer who has worked on numerous feature films and television series. His credits include The Dark Knight, Black Swan, True Blood, House of Cards, and Bad Boys II.
- Stephanie Waelzel: She is an American dancer who has been an instructor of ballet, jazz and contemporary dance for several decades. She is best known for her work in musical theater productions, teaching across the US and other countries.